The Xtra Diary: It’s malice in Wonderland

Joe O’Donovan’s Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee

Published: 11 May, 2012

ARTIST Joe O’Donovan began his career as a painter while plying his trade selling jewellery in St James’s Market, and his latest lavish series of paintings, based on Lewis Carroll’s mind-swirling tale Alice in Wonderland, is now on show at Marylebone Library.

Among the works is a picture of Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee, who the 57-year-old acrylics painter has reimagined as a pair of hardnut football fans on their way to a distinctly retro Wembley Stadium.

The two skinheads are wearing bovver boots, but Mr O’Donovan said they are big softies at heart.

“I thought there was a lot of innocence with guys like that,” he told Diary. “Even though they’ve got a reputation for being violent. They have been misunder­stood.” He added that Alice in Wonderland was the perfect juice for his talents.

“Painting is my key to the secret garden, my way down the rabbit hole, my looking glass,” said Mr O’Donovan. “From the beginning the process of transforming concepts into a finished painting has struck me as magical. And, over the years, that magical process has had its way with me, leading me from hobby to professional artist.”

• The exhibition is at Marylebone Library in Marylebone Road, NW1, until May 26. Entrance is free. For more information on the artist’s work visit www.joeodonovan.co.uk